Upcycled Nativity {Virtual Fridge}

This Week

It's that time of the year again where little people get excited and we look for things to point them to Jesus. This Upcycled Nativity scene is super easy to make and all you need is some crayons, paper and toilet rolls.  It was so much fun to make. 

Featured This Week

This weeks feature is from over at Homeschool Coffee Break and features Retablo Art. Pop on over and see how to make this beautiful form of Peruvian art.

Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.

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Blessings
Chareen

The Virtual Fridge a weekly art meme where we can hang our children's art on a virtual fridge. This meme was started by Jennifer over at A Glimpse of our Life who kindly invited three other bloggers to co-host this weekly meme.

Your hosts are

Our Top 6 Favorite Chapter Read-Alouds

I have so many read aloud chapter books that are my favourite that it was very hard to narrow down the list to 6!  This list is in no way our only favourites but they are some we have enjoyed recently and some are ones that spring to mind when thinking of read alouds I read to my oldest two years ago. I would love to know what are your favourite read alouds.

Little Britches Series 
Author Ralph Moody. 
The Ralph Moody Collection has been one of the most amazing journey's we have undertaken as a family.  My older two roses would sit waiting at the window for daddy to come home and when he arrived would race out to the car begging "Daddy PLEASE read to us!"

 Carry on, Mr. Bowditch
Author Jean Lee Latham
This is one of those sit on the edge of your seat historical novels.  It is excellently written.  Interestingly enough when we looked up Nathaniel Bowditch in our encyclopedia set it recommend this book as the number one resource on his life. It was also awarded the John Newberry Medal.

Handel: At the Court of Kings
Series Great Musician Series Book Collection

This is the first chapter book on great musicians that we've ever read and we really enjoyed every minute of our music study.  There are a total of 16 musicians covered in this series.




Follow My Leader
Author James B. Garfield
It's a story revealing the consequences of our actions at the same time giving us a hope for the future. We walk with Jimmy as he learns to forgive and go with him on a journey as to what it would be like to be blind.

The Phantom Tollbooth
Author Norton Juster

This book is amazing !  If you love reading then this is a must for your shelf.  It is so much fun.  I enjoyed the play on words and the literal use of words.  It is so very cleverly written. Every page is a play on words and the linguistic talent of the author is so very enjoyable. 

Little Lord Fauntleroy
Author Frances Hodgson Burnett

For beautiful language and character rich books I highly recommend the books by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  When I asked him which book was his favorite read aloud so far he named this book.  The story of a young man destined for great things. Born into poverty yet a prince.  An excellent read aloud for the whole family.

Chareen

This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of homeschool Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.

This week

• Bernadette   6 Favorite Read Aloud Chapter Books
• Julie  Best Chapter Books
• Savannah 
• Lucinda  6 Read-Aloud Chapter Books We Love 
• Nicole  Our Top 6 Read Alouds

 ---ooOoo---

HSMJ running behind ...

In my life this week…

Second week of being sick but I'm pleased to say that we are on the homeward stretch to become well.

Sigh and this post is *L*A*T*E


In our home school this week…

• We have done the job of getting well this week. Most days we've spent lying down on the couch.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Have you seen these books by Stanley Cesar? 
• The new edition of Carnival of Homeschooling is up at Petticoat Government.
• Homeschooling An Only Child
• Why some kids can’t spell and why spelling tests won’t help

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• I went to a Christmas Cooking class with Thermomix.

My favourite thing this week was…

• Reading Contentment Makes a Home Beautiful
• Winning a Thermoserv at the Thermomix Christmas Cooking Class.
• Receiving my new Thermomix.

Questions/thoughts I have…

• Do you make your own soy candles ?  If so where do you purchase your supplies from ?  I have found Natural Candle Supply to be good.

Things I’m working on…

• The Virtual Fridge.  Circles, Colour, Contrast

In Bloggy world I’m reading…

• Battle Discontent with Thankfulness
• Here Are The 30 Most Powerful Photos Ever Taken. The Kind That You Never Ever Forget.
• Everyone’s Talking About What This Shy Photographer Did. When You See This, You’ll Understand Why.
• The real-life Notebook: Devoted husband keeps 93-year-old dementia sufferer wife's memory alive by reading from diary he kept through 70 years of marriage
• Whooping cough vaccine may not halt spread of illness 
• 41 Camping Hacks That Are Borderline Genius 
• Meet John And Ann, They’ve Been Married 81 Years, Longer Than Anyone Else In The United States 
• This was sad Chandler Blake Webb Obituary
• And That’s Why I’ve Got More Children Than You Think I Should
• Interresting look at some quirky things 22 Things That Belong In Every Bookworm’s Dream Home

I’m cooking…

• I'm looking forward to trying this out Chicken and Cauliflower Casserole S 
• and I want to try this out Cottage Berry Whip
• This looks interesting too Roasted Nacho Cauliflower
• And I think I want to give this a go too sometime Low-Carb Chicken Bacon Chowder

On Pinterest I found...

• Wire Hanger Holiday Card Holder
• Make Christmas trees out of paint sample strips /
• Passionate Curiosity 
• Creative Madness Mommy 
• Homegrown Hearts Academy 
• Virtual Field Trips 

I’m grateful for…

• All my friends who are committed and encouraging.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

This Act of Kindness Reduced Complete Strangers to Tears



Blessings

Chareen

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor

Circles, Colour, Contrast {Virtual Fridge}

I would like to apologize for these posts not being here for the last two weeks. Sir N and I have been nursing ourselves back to health. Although not 100 % we are much improved.

This Week

Our art was inspired by Vassily Kandinsky and we followed the tutorial in The Usborne ART Treasury on page 54. If you are wanting to start artist study but are not artistically inclined I highly recommend this book. We used crayons and water colour and explored contrasting and complimenting colour.

Featured This Week

Spirit's Seascape. - Water color, black sharpie and crayons from over at Nikki's Angels of Heart.

Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.everybedofroses.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Virtual%20Fridge" title="Virtual Fridge Link Up"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmwOV8LEHGlyewq4vzijOFKpQAQ5QIsoboACS3NXYb5NkkMDEHopBuLfzKfSaVQtoxfGsnLCZpgIMEh0TUIjur_buc11sMxmpoh7BbjBtaFht9Xz5VVXrIyI8hVM2iJVNWx-58dYsLcs/s900/Link+Up+with+Us!+Art+Linky.jpg"height="125" width="125" alt="Virtual Fridge Link Up" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Blessings
Chareen

The Virtual Fridge a weekly art meme where we can hang our children's art on a virtual fridge. This meme was started by Jennifer over at A Glimpse of our Life who kindly invited three other bloggers to co-host this weekly meme.

Your hosts are

Our Favorite Picture Book Read-Alouds

Over the years I have shared some of the treasures that are on my shelves and some of the ones discovered during my frequent trips to the library in my Tuesday's Treasures posts. 

Looking for our favourites was a little difficult as we have so many we like to revisit. Isn't  that what living books are all about ?  Here are 6 of our recent favourites and some we often go back to

A Boy, A Dog & A Frog

I love this little book so much.  The line drawings are so beautiful. It was written more than 25 years ago and holds it's character so well.  It's one of those books that will be around for year s to come. This is the tale of a little boy and his dog and the adventures they get up to when they spot a frog on their fishing adventure. Can they catch him with their net ? I don't know you will need to get this little book to find out.

Pages 32 pages ISBN 13: 9780803728806 ISBN 10: 0803728808
Author: Mercer Mayer

A Country Far Away 
This is another treasure discovered this year at the library. It's written by Nigel Gray about the lives of two children on opposite sides of the world and shows how similar we really are.  Each page is divided in two the top half illustrates the one child's world and the bottom the other with the words of the story which are applicable to both running through the center.

Pages:32  ISBN 10:0980876028  ISBN 13:9780980876024
Author: Nigel Gray    Illustrator: Philippe Dupasquier

 Katie and the Waterlily Pond
The Katie books are just beautiful books written and illustrated by James Mayhew.  In this book Katie discovers Five Monet Masterpieces on her magical journey.

Pages: 32 ISBN: 978-1-40830-464-8
Author  James Mayhew  Illustrator: James Mayhew




Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper
For rhyme and rhythm nothing beats a Lynley Dodd book along with Hairy Maclary.  His antics will have you giggling with your children. Her illustrations are marvelously mischievous. The pictures and words combine to tell the story, each picture contains vital information contributing to the story and invites exploration by the reader
Pages 31  ISBN 9780140508734
Author: Lynley Dodd Illustrator: Lynley Dodd

Look-Alikes - The More you Look the More you See!
This book is amazing. Joan uses everyday objects in ingenious ways to create three dimensional scenes. There are hundreds of look alike items to find on each and every page.  This book is guaranteed to keep you busy for days trying to discover each items double use.

Pages 32    ISBN 13: 9780316713481 ISBN 10: 0316713481
Author: Joan Steiner 

  Three Cheers for Inventors! 
This is a picture book for older studnets. This year I discovere the author illustrator Marcia Williams. This book is written in a comic format. She has written a few  with Shakespears plays, Charles Dickens, Robin Hood, Noah's Ark and The Iliad and the Odyssey to name a few.  We have loved all her books so far.

Pages: 40 ISBN: 140630171X ISBN 13: 9781406301717
Author  Marcia Williams  Illustrator: Marcia Williams


What are your families favourite picture books ?  I would love to know :)


Blessings

Chareen

This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of homeschool Mom's from around the globe.  Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.

This week

• Bernadette   Favorite Read-Aloud Picture Books
• Julie  Best Picture Books
• Savannah shares 
• Lucinda  6 Favourite Read-Aloud Picture Books  
• Nicole  The Wonderful World of Picture Books

 ---ooOoo---

Our Favourites and the 2013 Blue Ribbon Awards

Wow it's the end of my first year on the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  It has been a steep learning curve but at the same time a most enjoyable adventure.   This year the crew had the wonderful opportunity of reviewing items for 86 companies.  Two weeks ago we were asked to vote and nominate our favourites in 38 Blue Ribbon nominations for 2013.  A total of 28 companies were awarded ribbons this year.

My personal top three items are

• I am super impressed with Children's Music Journey and the richness it has blessed our family with.
• See The Light has been one of the best things that could have happened to our art classes.
• For encouragement from one homeschool mom to another nothing beats my Homeschool Mothers Bible

Sir N's Top 3 

• He loved doing math and science on Time 4 Learning.
• Sir N enjoyed his Journey Through Learning Astronomy & Space
• See The Light he enjoyed creating glow in the dark pictures.

The Crew voted too

You can read what others on the crew are saying over at Announcing — The 2013 Blue Ribbon Awards! A total of 28 companies were awarded ribbons this year.

What are some of the new curriculum things you have used and enjoyed this year ?
Blessings
Chareen

HSMJ Being sick is no fun ...

 In my life this week…
It always amazes me how being really sick gives you a better appreciation for your health and well being.  At present Sir N and I are both really sick with the flu :(  So I'm afraid this weeks blogging and HSMJ took a back seat to DVD marathons and sleeping.  Together we have watched Season 4 of Mythbusters.  Had to get some school in right ? 


In our home school this week…

• We concentrated on Maths.
• Together we began reading Macbethwhich is part of the Young Readers Shakespeare serries.  We are both very impressed and Sir N has been begging me to read more or read before we do school writing which a sure sign of a living book!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

• Homeschool Blindspots by Joshua Harris
• '10 big brain benefits of playing chess'  
• Chess Improves Academic Performance 
• Welcome to the 412th edition of the Carnival of  Homeschooling

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• We attended Kelly Sports but nothing else due to illness.  :p

My favourite thing this week was…

• Seeing these AMAZING photographs taken by an armature photographer of snowflakes. They are absolutely stunning Photographer Uses Cheap Home-Made Camera Rig To Take Stunning Close-Ups of Snowflakes. I was so taken by these I found his blog Snowflakes, night city and other things. Here is a sample of the beautiful photo's.

Source

Questions/thoughts I have…

• What will you be doing to celebrate Advent this year ?
• I found a new laundry powder and am excited about!  Have you hear of or used Euca Laundry products ?

Things I’m working on…

• Stalking my email in box ... Yes I got an invite to be on the Schoolhouse Review Crew for 2014!  Looking forward to another year of living and learning with the crew.
• Carnival of Homeschooling {Edition # 412}
• Homeschool Burnout
• Getting better.  Gosh we've been really sick this week 
• We had our annual planning meeting for CHEF homeschool.  Feels so good to have the new year planned.  We are even planning our very FIRST homeschool Camp!  Can't wait.

In Bloggy world I’m reading…

• Advent Simplicity {a few thoughts, and a plan} over at Amongst Lovely Things.

  

  Source

• This is an amazing story of being reconnected and showing His hand in our lives in the most unimaginable way possible  Her Own Child Her Own Child
• The Wildlife Year { Nature Studies } over at The Paper Maid
• I am in the process of learning to use my camera so really enjoyed some of these photographs 19 Incredible Once in a Lifetime Shots
• God Called Them to Adopt. And Adopt. And Adopt.
• This Is the Perfect Pinterest Picture, According to Science
• Gay teen activist honoured by Obama charged with sex crimes against a 14-yr-old boy sigh ...
• I was really saddened by this story and pray that some judge will use wisdom and return this child to her parents. ‘It’s Kidnapping’: Hospital Takes Custody of Teen Because Her Parents Were ‘Too Active in Pursuing’ Her Care
• I felt so very blessed and inspired reading Not Afraid to Love. I think I would really like to do this one day :)
• 11 Indispensable Life Lessons Every Woman Can Learn From 'Anne Of Green Gables'
• Family's Christmas Wish: Give us More Time with Alex my heart goes out to this family.  Thinking of practical ways to be a blessing.
• If This Doesn’t Make You Want To Be A Parent, Absolutely Nothing Ever Will. This Is GREAT
• Dinosaurs come to life check this photo story of what one family does each November !  This is amazing and so easy to do.
• 5 "Fuel Pull" Cakes over at Sheri Graham
• Stevia: Good or Bad?  over at Gwen's Nest

I’m cooking…

• I was radically and outrageously blessed this week.  Paul bought me a Thermomix.  What's your favourite recipe to use with a Thermomix ?

On Pinterest I found...

• Sayings

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Watch A Teenager Bring His Class To Tears Just By Saying A Few Words


Blessings

Chareen

Photo collages made with: Photoscape a FREE photo editor